Nonverbal Communication
I. Nonverbal communication is an unspoken language; it uses stimuli other than words to create meaning for sender or receiver.
A. Because nonverbal communication may be unintentional, it is often difficult for receivers to determine whether their interpretations are accurate.
To increase interpretive accuracy, receivers can check the communicative context.
They can also compare the sender's current behavior with the sender's prior, baseline behavior.
They can ask the sender to explain behavior.
B. Nonverbal behavior has several characteristics.
It may be sent unintentionally.
It consists of multiple codes.
It is immediate, continuous, and natural.
It is both universal and cultural. a. Some nonverbal expressions are conveyed similarly across cultures. b. Some nonverbal expressions are culture specific.
C. In certain instances, nonverbal communication is preferred over verbal communication.
We rely on nonverbal cues when forming initial impressions.
We prefer to use nonverbal communication for relational messages. a. Messages of liking are often conveyed nonverbally. b. Status is easily read from nonverbal cues. c. Responsiveness is also a frequent nonverbal message.
Another area in which nonverbal carries more weight is in the expression of emotions.
Nonverbal communication often clarifies or expands on verbal meaning. It can be used to repeat, contradict, substitute for, complement, accent, or regulate verbal messages.
II. Nonverbal communication is not a single language, but rather a collection of different codes.
A. The kinesic code involves body movement and gesture.
Emblems are kinesic behaviors with direct verbal translations.
Illustrators describe objects or indicate the structure of utterances.
Regulators are the traffic signals of interaction.
Affect displays allow us to express emotions.
Adaptors are repetitive mannerisms that allow us to adapt to stress and satisfy needs.
B. Facial expression and eye behavior also convey information.
The structure of facial expressions may be innate, but their social expression is rule governed. a. Cultural display rules apply to everyone in a culture. b. Professional display rules are tied to occupation. c. Personal display rules are learned in the family.
Eye behavior is used in various ways. a. It reinforces social status. b. It conveys positive and negative emotions. c. It can signal willingness to relate to others. d. It is often associated with character.
C. Vocal behavior is part of nonverbal communication.
Paralanguage refers to the study of the sounds that accompany words: it focuses on how something is said rather than what is said.
Nonverbal vocal behavior can be classified in three ways. a. Vocal qualities such as pitch, tone and intonation patterns are often used to judge character. b. Vocalizations like groans, cries, or moans convey information. c. Vocal segregates like pauses and fillers can indicate emotional states.
Even silence conveys meaning.
D. Time, territory and space are also important aspects of nonverbal communication.
Chronemics is the study of time. People vary in their psychological, biological, and cultural time orientations.
Proxemics is the study of space. a. Humans are territorial; we have a need to control and own spaces. b. Public, interaction, and body territories must be defended from contamination, violation, and invasion. c. The way we arrange home and public spaces can affect the success of our verbal communication. d. People vary in terms of their need for personal space
Touch, or haptics, is another powerful nonverbal code.
E. Personal appearances and the objects we own and display also send messages.
We make judgments about others based on body types. Endomorphs, ectomorph, and mesomorphs are treated differently.
Dress and clothing tell others about our place in a variety of culturally defined hierarchies.
Object language refers to the material things we are associated with. a. Object language is connected to self-image. b. Built environments also convey messages.
III. Awareness is the key to increasing nonverbal sending and receiving skills.
A. Whereas it is important to be cautious in interpreting nonverbal messages, it is important not to overlook or dismiss them.
B. It is also important to be aware of the nonverbal messages we may be inadvertently sending.
C. Because some well-intended nonverbal messages can be threatening and invasive, we should consider the effects our nonverbal behavior may have on others.